Assessment and the Higher
Learning Commission Self Study
Dr. Brian Niehoff
Office of the Provost
Chair, HLC Self Study Committee
HLC Self Study
• Internal Self-Evaluation
– Data & evidence based activities
– Specific criteria to meet
– Good, bad & ugly
– Involvement of all constituencies
• External Reporting (HLC, BOR, Community)
• Team visit – April 2012
• Final determination by HLC
Process for HLC Self Study
• Steering Committee formed (fall 2009)
– Representation
– 8 Subcommittees (formed Dec 2009)
• Subcommittees writing drafts (fall 2010)
• Analysis of drafts – spring & fall 2011
– Public comments
• Final draft – fall 2011
• Submit to HLC - Jan 2012
What Does HLC Assess?
• Five General Criteria
– Mission & Integrity
– Planning for the Future
– Student Learning & Effective Teaching
– Acquisition, Discovery, & Application of
Knowledge
– Engagement & Service
• Additional Evidence – Diversity
Criterion 1: Mission & Integrity
• K-State “operates with integrity to ensure the
fulfillment of its mission through structures and
processes that involve the board, administration,
faculty, staff, and students”
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Mission clear & publicly articulated
Recognition of diversity of learners
Understanding and support of mission
Upholding and protecting integrity
Criterion 2:
Planning for the Future
• K-State’s “allocation of resources and its processes
for evaluation and planning demonstrate its
capacity to fulfill its mission, improve the quality of
its education, and respond to future challenges and
opportunities”
– Realistic preparation for future
– Alignment of planning and resources
– Evaluation/evidence inform strategies to improve
Criterion 3:
Student Learning & Effective Teaching
• K-State “provides evidence of student learning and
teaching effectiveness that demonstrates it is
fulfilling its education mission”
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SLOs clearly stated & make assessment possible
Support for teaching
Creation of effective learning environments
Learning resources support teaching & learning
Criterion 4: Acquisition,
Discovery, & Application of Knowledge
• K-State “promotes a life of learning for its faculty,
administration, staff, and students by fostering and
supporting inquiry, creativity, practice, and social
responsibility in ways consistent with its mission”
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Supports lifelong learning
Breadth of knowledge integral to education
Demonstration of usefulness of curricula
Support for research, scholarship & creative activity
Support for research compliance & ethical responsibility
Criterion 5: Engagement & Service
• K-State “identifies its constituencies and serves them
in ways both value”
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Learning from constituencies
Capacity to serve the needs of constituencies
Commitment to engage with constituencies
Demonstration of responsiveness to constituencies
Constituencies value the services
Keys for Data Gathering on Assessment
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All program have SLOs posted
All programs have assessment plans in place
All programs submit Annual Progress Reports
Evidence of “closing the loop”
Evidence of involvement of faculty, students &
others (advisory boards, etc.)
• Demonstration of K-State support for Assessment
Questions?